bedrooms Archives - Emily A. Clark

Updating My Nightstand + Way Day Deals

Apr102019

This post is sponsored by Wayfair.

My poor nightstand was falling apart, mostly thanks to all of the extra books, art projects and papers I’d stuffed in it over the last few years. It was time to upgrade to something a little heftier and this three-drawer white chest from Wayfair fit the bill. Since we have a painted navy armoire and a dark bed already, I like to keep this corner clean and white. I think the honeycomb overlay was just the pattern the room needed.

I love the clean drawers so much I may never put anything back in them. :)

You might have noticed that I often link to Wayfair on my blog because it really is a one-stop shop for all things home. (There’s over 10 million products on the site!) I can almost always find whatever it is I happen to be on the hunt for that day.

And today just happens to be the start of their biggest sale of the year: Way Day. It starts at 12pm EST (on 4/10) and runs for 36 hours. This is the time you’ll find their best deals of the year–the lowest prices since Black Friday–and free shipping on over 100,000 home decor and furniture pieces across Wayfair and their other brands: Birch Lane, Joss & Main and All Modern. Since there are so many things included, I’ve linked to some of my personal favorite pieces below in each category. If I can help you locate something specific, let me know in the comments.

Shop all the 2019 Way Day deals here.

Making A Cozy Bed

Dec42018

There aren’t many things better than a cozy bed when it’s cold outside. Here’s what’s currently on mine:

Since I have mostly white bedding, I like to start with patterned sheets. I have two pairs of pillows for sleeping, including this super firm pillow from Amazon.

When making the bed, I use a set of monogrammed euro shams. I bought a pair of inexpensive white shams several years ago and my sister embroidered them for me. (If you are looking for something already monogrammed, I love this Etsy shop’s work. Also, I like these sets of down pillow inserts.)

I add color with a pair of these floral pillows (I think I’ve used these in every room at some point!) and a velvet lumbar adds cozy texture.

I rarely ever use a bedding set together. Usually, I mix the sets between different beds in our house. For our room, I layer with a lightweight quilt and use a down alternative comforter inside a duvet.

Here’s a tip I learned late in life: to make your duvet look extra fluffy, fold it in thirds, starting with the bottom third first and then layering the top third over it. (You can fold the whole thing back one more time if you want extra fluff.) I also find it much easier to spot iron the duvet cover once it’s already on my bed.

Finally, fresh flowers and a boxwood wreath add a little happy on dreary days.

Getting Back-to-School Ready with IKEA

Jun132018

I know it’s crazy to think of going back to school when we literally just got out for Summer, but I also know how quickly these next months will fly by and that many of you are already scheming up dorm room and first apartment decor for your big kids. I’m teaming up with IKEA as one of their brand ambassadors to share how we recently finished up my oldest daughter’s room and to hopefully pass along an idea or two that you can use, as well.

Our inspiration was this beautiful (and ever Pinterest-popular) studio apartment designed by Lauren McGrath featured in Domino magazine. I love this layout because it offers plenty of storage on one wall and still leaves her floor space. We used a pair of the HEMNES bookcases which were a perfect fit with her (thrifted) daybed. (The IKEA FYRESDAL is another good option.) If you have less room to work with, the single HEMNES bookcase might be a better fit.

No daybed? An elevated twin mattress will work, too, and can double as a sofa/study space.

It was important to give her some hidden storage so we added several of the gray KVARNVIK boxes on her shelves and these fabric DRÖNA cubes fit perfectly turned sideways. (We also added more under her bed for out-of-season clothing storage.)

I left the shelves pretty open so that she can add her own personal touches and just picked up a few pretty vases from IKEA’s GRADVIS collection. I also added color to her neutral bedding (the TRÄDASTER duvet is a good alternative) with super affordable GURLI pillow covers. The colors worked great with the artwork that was already above her bed.

The GÖRLÖSE rug is super affordable and does a good job of sectioning off this part of the space. (A trick that may be more needed in a shared dorm room!) I floated a KVISTBRO table (with a removable lid for more possible storage) in front of the bed that can serve as a nightstand and/or ottoman.